10 Foods that Can Lighten Your Mood Quickly!-By Dr. Rajprabha Patra

In the fast paced world we live in, more or less everybody is a victim of the modern diet comprising of unhealthy, junk food. This way of eating is throwing off our bodies’ natural feel-good chemistry leading to us being more and more unhappy, moody, anxious and irritable in general. Luckily for us, an instant dose of happiness is just a forkful/spoonful/bowlful/handful of the right food away. Here’s a list of 10 foods that you can use to ward of those blues and to shrug off any sluggishness for an instant uplift –

1.) Bananas

We all know bananas are great for providing your body an instant boost of energy and that they’re a great source of potassium which helps in the healthy functioning of the heart. The benefits don’t stop here! Bananas also contain the amino acid tryptophan as well as vitamins A, B6 and C, fibre, phosphorous, iron and carbohydrate.

Carbohydrates aid in the absorption of tryptophan in the brain, while vitamin B6 helps convert the tryptophan into the hormone serotonin. This feel-good hormone is what boosts your mood and also aids your sleep.

We bet that just finding it on the list made you at least a little bit happy, didn’t it? Thankfully, besides our guesswork, there’s also science that backs up dark chocolate being a mood enhancer. How you ask? The key here is moderation. When you indulge in chocolate (twice a day, 1.4 ounces to be exact), make sure you regulate the amount you eat daily and after two weeks, the level of stress hormones in your body will be reduced considerably! Experts believe this is thanks to the antioxidants in chocolate and improved blood flow to the brain.

Also, make sure to account for the calories that come with chocolate, to avoid the stress of the extra pounds creeping on.

3.) Coconut

Did you know coconuts are more than just temple offerings and religious objects? Coconuts are enriched with medium chain triglycerides, a type of fat that is turned into energy swiftly and efficiently and that also fuels better moods.

A little bit of coconut any time during the day can help you alleviate yourself from that feeling of lethargy that we all fall prey to sooner or later!

4.) Eggs

Hard boiled, soft boiled, scrambled, sunny side up, omelettes, poached… the list goes on. There’s a good reason why people have gotten so creative with the globally loved breakfast choice that is eggs – they give you a sustainable hit of energy that will last you throughout the entire day, AND they’re loaded with mood-promoting omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, B vitamins, and iodide that helps fend off any feelings of being low.

5.) Oats

When thinking about foods to alter your bad mood, it’s important to consider that some will provide you with a surge or a rush of energy/elation that quickly dips and fades away, leaving you even more irritable than before.

In this respect, oats have got your back! They slowly release energy into your bloodstream, which keeps your blood sugar and your mood both stable and uplifted.

6.) Oily Fish

Eating oily, fatty fish will give you omega-3s—a key mood-boosting nutrient. What makes Omega-3s so important is that they cannot be produced by our own bodies and that they alter brain chemicals linked with keeping you in a good mood—specifically dopamine and serotonin.7.) Goji Berries

Now these might be a little bit hard to come by, but trust us they’re worth the effort. Goji berries have been part of ancient Chinese medicine used to help increase energy and elevate moods by enhancing the release of hormones.

These amazing berries have increasingly been recognized as energy boosters and mood enhancers AND taste pretty good too. What more could you ask for?

8.) Nuts

If you find yourself tired and stressed out by mid-day in your day-to-day routine, a bag filled with almonds, cashews and hazelnuts is exactly what you need. The high magnesium content in these plays a major role in converting sugar into energy, and maintaining blood sugar levels.

Just a handful will give you long-lasting energy to power you through the rest of the day and keep you feeling up.

9.) Greek Yogurt

This dairy product beats both milk and regular yogurt when it comes to calcium content, and if it’s a mood enhancement that you seek then calcium is your necessary friend.

Proper calcium levels essentially give the ‘green signal’ to your body to release the feel-good neurotransmitters. So the next time you’re feeling anxious or agitated, try having some Greek yogurt!

10.) Asparagus

One of the top plant based sources for tryptophan; Asparagus also has high levels of folate. The common factor between the two is that they’re both essential for the creation of those all-important neurotransmitters that your body releases to make you feel good, like serotonin.

These 10 foods are DEFINITELY going to boost your mood, so if you’re feeling low then head over to the grocery store and start shopping! Also, along with a healthy diet, it is equally important that you are in touch with a doctor who can give you the best health tips in addition to taking good care of your health when required.

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